Kingston, December 27, 2011: The People's National Party (PNP) has pointed to the partisan distribution of Christmas work in constituencies across the country by the Jamaica Labour Party Government, with work brigades clad in green shirts being a common site in communities in almost every constituency. The Party has fingered the West Central St. Andrew constituency recently represented in Parliament by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, as one area where this kind of partisan political victimisation is fuelling the very garrison-style politics, which Mr. Holness says he wants to eradicate.

The PNP's West Central St. Andrew Candidate, Mr. Patrick Roberts, says Mr. Holness, the former Member of Parliament and current Prime Minister, who claims to be committed to inclusiveness, has again shown his true colours in respect of political favouritism and victimisation.

Mr. Roberts says there has been absolutely no transparency, fair-play or equity in the distribution of opportunities in the recently concluded Christmas Work Programme in West Central St. Andrew. He estimates that more than $5.1 million would have been provided to Mr. Holness as the former MP. In addition, he says, it is customary for the Prime Minister, to receive an additional allocation. Mr. Roberts has challenged Mr. Holness to declare the amount of money he received on behalf of the constituency and to say how it was distributed.

The PNP candidate points out that it is this kind of inequitable and partisan distribution of scarce government opportunities and benefits, being practised by Mr. Holness, which fuels garrison type politics in communities. Mr. Roberts adds that while he, as a candidate for the PNP, did not expect any allocation under the programme, it is the duty of Mr. Holness, as the former MP, to have ensured fairness in the distribution of opportunities to as many persons in need as is possible, regardless of their political preferences and to include those without any partisan affiliation.

Mr. Roberts says while Prime Minister Holness continues to 'talk the talk' about eliminating garrison type politics, the experience of the people of West Central St. Andrew, is that he has never 'walked the walk' in this regard.